Triathlon shoe

ABSTRACT

A triathlon shoe for use in both the cycling and running segments of a race which includes an outer sole, a midsole, an upper, a cleat for attachment to a pedal of a bike and a rigid insert positioned above, and secured to, the cleat. The rigid insert is secured to the midsole which includes a cushioning material suitable for running. The midsole and outer sole are also configured to allow the cleat to protrude through the bottom of the shoe for attachment to the pedal of a bike. The midsole may also be recessed to provide sufficient space for the pedal of the bike when the pedal is attached to the cleat and to prevent the cleat from striking the ground while the wearer is running.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to athletic footwear, and more particularly, to a shoe for both cycling and running such as a triathlon shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A triathlon is a three-sport athletic competition involving three continuous and sequential endurance events. Most often, these are swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over a variety of distances.

Triathletes use specialized cycling shoes for the bike segment of their races, which include metal or plastic cleats which attach to the pedals of the bike. Cycling shoes are made with a stiff sole to facilitate power transfer from the foot through the shoe to the cleat and pedal. In contrast, running shoes, used in the run segment of a triathlon, are made from a more lightweight and flexible material designed to absorb some of the impact while running as well as propel the runner forward. Running in cycling shoes would be impractical as it would cause the triathlete to run at a reduced speed as well as wear down the cycling shoes and cleats.

In a race, triathletes compete for the fastest overall course completion time. The time spent in transition between the swim and bike segments and between the bike and run segments is time included in the overall time of the race. When transitioning between the bike and the run segments, triathletes have to remove their cycling shoes, get into their running shoes and tie the shoe laces. Lacing systems such as Lock Laces™ and Speed Laces™ are designed to reduce the amount of time spend tying shoe laces, but still do not eliminate that time altogether, nor do they reduce the amount of time it takes to change shoes, from cycling shoes to running shoes, during a bike to run transition.

Some triathletes, when approaching the bike dismount area, will unfasten and remove their cycling shoes while still in motion on the bike. The athlete may then pedal with their feet on top of their shoes until finally dismounting from the bike and then run barefoot to the location where he or she secures his bike and obtains his or her running shoes. This technique is aimed to reduce the amount of time to get through a transition area, but has risks. First, running barefoot may increase the risk of foot injuries, especially where the running surface contains hazards. Second, while the triathlete is unfastening and removing his cycling shoes, he or she has reduced stability and control over the bike, which increases the risk of crashing or colliding into nearby participants or spectators. This may cause injuries to the triathlete and others, and possibly cause one or more participants to not finish the race.

It would be desirable for a triathlete to reduce his or her bike to run transition time without engaging in risky manoeuvres which may lead to crashes or collisions with others. Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a shoe for cycling and running comprising: an outer sole; a midsole positioned above the outer sole and secured to the outer sole, the midsole comprising a cushioning material; an upper secured to the midsole, the upper and midsole in combination defining a space for a foot; and a rigid insert positioned above a cleat, the rigid insert being secured to the cleat and to the midsole, and the cleat protruding through the bottom of the shoe and being configured for attachment to a pedal of a bike; wherein the midsole and the outer sole are cut-out or recessed about the cleat to accommodate the pedal of a bike when the pedal is attached to the cleat.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a triathlon shoe comprising: an outer sole; a midsole positioned above the outer sole and secured to the outer sole, the midsole comprising a cushioning material; an upper secured to the midsole, the upper and midsole in combination defining a space for a foot; and a rigid insert positioned above a cleat, the rigid insert being secured to the cleat and to the midsole, and the cleat protruding through the bottom of the shoe and being configured for attachment to a pedal of a bike; wherein the midsole and the outer sole are cut-out or recessed about the cleat to accommodate the pedal of a bike when the pedal is attached to the cleat.

Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the shoe of FIG. 1 (without the fastening strap);

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the shoe of FIG. 1, as defined by section line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the rigid insert and cleat of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the rigid insert and cleat shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the rigid insert and cleat shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a further rigid insert and cleat according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shoe including a shoe cover according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rigid insert integrally formed with a heel counter according to an embodiment of the invention.

Like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a shoe for both cycling and running. According to an embodiment, the shoe may be advantageously used for racing, where a faster transition time from a bike segment to a run segment, such as in a triathlon, or from a run segment to a bike segment, such as in a duathlon, is desirable as it may result in a faster overall course completion time.

Embodiments of the shoe may also be advantageously used in brick workouts, which involve training the transitions from one sport to another in a triathlon, or similar event, in interval fashion, such as, for example, five intervals of five minutes of running and seven minutes of cycling. The shoe may make a brick workout more convenient for the athlete as there would be no need to change shoes between running and cycling segments.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a shoe, such as triathlon shoe 100, may comprise an outer sole 120, a midsole 140, an upper 160, a heel counter 180, a cleat 200 and a rigid insert 220. The outer sole 120 is the bottom part of the shoe 100 that contacts the ground when running. According to an embodiment, the outer sole 120 may be made of a type of rubber, such as hard carbon rubber or blown rubber compounds, or other material having elastic properties and is secured to the midsole 140 by glue or other securing means. The outer sole 120 may have a tread pattern, such as a waffle tread pattern 125, which may provide better traction with the running surface. The outer sole 120 may also comprise a cut-out portion 130 which allows the cleat 200 to protrude through the shoe 100 for attachment to the pedal of a bike.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the midsole 140 may be positioned above the outer sole 120 and comprises a cushioning material that may act to provide cushioning, stability and flexibility. The cushioning material of the midsole 140 may be made of combinations of vinyl compounds and air bladder or other lightweight shock absorbing materials and may be contoured as desired, such as to the shape of the bottom of a foot on the top surface as well as contoured to the shape of the rigid insert 220. According to an embodiment, the midsole 140 may include a cut-out portion 145 which is shaped to accommodate the rigid insert 220 and cleat 200 as well as to allow sufficient clearance for the shoe 100 to receive the pedal of the bike when it is attached to the cleat 200 and to allow disengagement of the cleat 200 from the pedal which, according to an embodiment, may be accomplished by twisting the foot inwards or outwards. According to an embodiment, the midsole 140 may have additional posting to support the recessed cushioning due to the cleat 200, rigid insert 220 and cut-out portion 145. This additional posting may reduce over-pronation which may otherwise result from less midsole material in the area proximate to cleat 200.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an insole 150 may be positioned above the midsole 140 in the shoe 100. The insole 150 may be contoured on each side as desired. According to an embodiment, the insole 150 is contoured to the bottom of a foot on its top surface and to the rigid insert 220 and midsole 140 on its bottom surface.

The midsole 140 may contain drainage holes 165 for allowing water, sweat or any other liquid to escape and to provide air circulation which may cool the wearer's feet. According to an embodiment, drainage holes 165 may be of any shape, but aerodynamic shapes, such as chevrons, may be preferred for a racing shoe. Drainage holes 165 may also reduce the frequency and severity of blisters and help to keep the foot dry. According to an embodiment, the insole 150 may have perforations 152 aligned with perforations in the midsole 140. The perforations in the midsole 140 may have channels which lead to the drainage holes 165.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper 160 is the part of the shoe 100 that, with the midsole 140, encloses the foot. The upper 160 may be made of a nylon material or any other suitable material. According to an embodiment, the upper may be tucked under and glued or otherwise secured directly to the midsole 140 (slip-lasted). According to a further embodiment, a board (not shown) is tucked under a portion of the upper 160 (board-lasted). Slip-lasting is lighter and provides more flexibility, while board-lasting provides more stability and prevents pronation.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, a shoe cover 240 may be releasably secured to the shoe 100. The shoe cover 240 may increase the aerodynamic properties of the shoe 100, as well as provide wind proofing and water proofing. The shoe cover 240 may also help contain heat, which may be beneficial in colder temperatures.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the shoe cover 240 may be secured to the shoe 100 by one or more fasteners, such as hooks (not shown as hidden behind cover 240). The hooks may be secured to the drainage holes 165 and, when extended over the shoe 100, to a loop 242. The loop 242 may be positioned at the top of the upper 160 such as at the top of the heel as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1. According to an embodiment, the shoe cover 240 may be releasably secured to the shoe 100 using an elastic band 250 to elastically bind the bottom end of the shoe cover 240 within a recessed groove 255 around the side of the shoe 100. The shoe cover 240 may be contained substantially within or about the recessed groove 255 when not in use and then pulled over the top of the shoe 100 by the wearer. According to a further embodiment, both the hooks and the elastic band 250 may be used to releasably secure the shoe cover 240 to the shoe 100. According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the shoe cover 240 may also comprise a zipper 244 to assist with deploying the shoe cover 240 over the shoe 100. The hook secured in loop 242 may allow the zipper 244 to be pulled down more easily when uncovering the shoe 100.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 100 may also comprise a heel counter 180 which is a stiffer portion that wraps around behind the heel of the shoe 100. The heel counter 180 may reduce ankle pronation and add to the stability of the shoe 100. According to an embodiment, the heel counter 180 may also provide some cushioning around the heel of the shoe 100. According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, the heel counter 180 may be attached or be integral with the rigid insert 220. This may provide better power transfer from the foot to the pedals by reducing the elasticity between the rigid insert 220 and the heel counter 180.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, a fastening strap 190 may also be provided which may slide through one or more loops 192 to strap the shoe 100 to the foot. According to further embodiments, shoe laces (not shown) or other means may be used to secure the shoe to the foot.

A cleat 200 is used to attach a shoe to the pedal of a bike while cycling. When a cleat is positioned at the traditional cleat position at the forefoot of the shoe, the foot acts as an inefficient flexible lever during cycling which prevents maximum power transfer from the rider's muscles to the pedals. According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, moving the cleat 200 further back on the shoe 100 to a position between under the ball of foot to under the ankle, power is transferred more directly and efficiently to the pedal from the rider's large muscle groups (quadriceps, gluteus maximum and hamstrings) and the rider may be able generate more power or pedal at a higher gear for a longer period of time. This cleat positioning may also reduce the frequency and severity of metatarsalgia (pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot), especially on longer rides, as well as may reduce the frequency and severity of injuries to the Achilles tendon, calf muscles and the knee.

This cleat positioning may also be advantageous in a triathlon or other race where cycling is followed by running by reducing the exertion by the rider's calf and foot muscles during the cycling segment and thereby leaving the rider's calf and foot muscles less fatigued for the running segment of the race which may result in faster overall race times. In the traditional cleat position, calf muscles are used to stabilize the ankle to allow as much power as possible to be transferred to the pedal through the forefoot. When the cleat position is moved further back, to a position between under the ball of foot to under the ankle, there may be less exertion by the calf muscles to stabilize the ankles as power is transferred to the pedal more directly. Less exertion by the calf muscles may also slow the depletion of the athlete's glycogen levels or increase endurance, leading to faster overall race times. Moreover, this cleat position will lower the rider's center of gravity when riding which may provide for better handling and balance, especially when cycling downhill.

According to an embodiment, the rigid insert 220 may be made of a rigid material, such as carbon fibre, and is secured to the midsole 140, such as by glue or other securing means. The rigidity or stiffness of the rigid insert 220 may assist with power transfer during cycling. According to an embodiment, the rigid insert 220 may be placed above the midsole 140 and extend through the cut-out portion 145. According to a further embodiment, the midsole 140 or cut-out portion 145 may accommodate the rigid insert 220 such that the top of the rigid insert 220 is at approximately the same level as the surrounding portions of the midsole 140. According to an embodiment, the rigid insert 220 may be sized such that it extends from the heel up to the metatarsal phalangeal joints (balls of foot, beginning of toes) in the foot. According to further embodiments, the rigid insert 220 may be sized and shaped to conform to the shape of the last of the shoe, the insole, the midsole or any combination of the aforementioned shapes and sizes, or be any other common shape such as a triangle, square, rectangle, circle, or oval, or others that may fit within the boundaries of the shoe 100 and be wide enough to allow for the attachment of the cleat 200. According to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rigid insert 220 may have perforations 222 which may provide ventilation to the inside of the shoe 100 as well as allow any water, sweat or other liquid that is inside the shoe 100 to escape.

According to an embodiment, the rigid insert 220 may be flat or curved. According to a further embodiment, the rigid insert 220 may not be flat or curved at its upper surface, but is covered by an insole 150 that conforms to the shape of the rigid insert 220 and which provides an upper surface with a contour suitable for the bottom of the foot. According to various embodiments, the rigid insert 220 may comprise more than one material, may be made of different thicknesses and may have a variable thickness throughout.

According to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the rigid insert 220 may have holes 225 for fasteners such as screws 230, t-bolts, or other fasteners to be received in the rigid insert 220 to attach the cleat 200. Washers 235 may also be used in securing the cleat 200 to the rigid insert 220. According to an embodiment, the cleat 200 may be horizontally, vertically or diagonally adjustable to some extent, such as through the use of washers 235 and holes 225 which are oversized in comparison to the fastener, to match the position of the cyclist's foot on the pedal. According to an embodiment, cleats 200 of various sizes and configurations may be attached to the rigid insert 220 as multiple t-bolts may be located on the rigid insert 220 to accommodate various cleat and pedal systems, and for multiple positioning of any given system. According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, an adapter 237 may also be used to fit the cleat 200 to the rigid insert 220. According to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the cleat 200 may comprise three holes for attaching the cleat 200 to a pedal of a bike. According to other embodiments, the cleat 200 may have two holes or four holes. According to an embodiment, the rigid insert 220 may be removed and placed in any other compatible shoe.

The shoe 100 according to the embodiments discussed above may reduce a triathlete's (or other athlete transitioning from a bike segment to a run segment) transition time from the bike segment to the run segment by eliminating the time lost to changing from traditional cycling shoes into running shoes and tying the laces of the running shoes. Similarly, in a race such as a duathlon, where there is a run segment followed by a cycling segment, followed by a further run segment, the shoe 100 can be used in all three segments, eliminating the time lost to changing shoes at both transitions. The shoe 100 may also allow a faster run with a bike from the bike rack to the bike mount area in a transition during a race.

Embodiments of the present invention may therefore provide a shoe for cycling and running which may reduce transition times for a triathlete (or other athlete in a race involving a transition between cycling and running or vice-versa) and thereby may lead to faster overall race times. Moreover, as described above, embodiments of the present invention may also reduce fatigue in the athlete's calf muscles during the bike segment which may result in greater endurance during the run segment and thereby result in faster overall race times. The embodiments of the present invention may be used in a wide range of activities besides triathlons and duathlons, including bicycle touring, commuting, BMX riding, mountain biking and cyclo-cross.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A shoe for cycling and running comprising: an outer sole; a midsole positioned above the outer sole and secured to the outer sole, the midsole comprising a cushioning material; an upper secured to the midsole, the upper and midsole in combination defining a space for a foot; and a rigid insert positioned above a cleat, the rigid insert being secured to the cleat and to the midsole, and the cleat protruding through the bottom of the shoe and being configured for attachment to a pedal of a bike; wherein the midsole and the outer sole are cut-out or recessed about the cleat to accommodate the pedal of a bike when the pedal is attached to the cleat.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the cleat is positioned on the shoe such that when the shoe is worn on a foot having an ankle and a ball, the cleat is in a region between under the ankle of the foot and under the ball of the foot.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the rigid insert substantially extends from a side wall of the upper to an opposite side wall of the upper.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising an insole positioned over the rigid insert.
 5. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a heel counter.
 6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the heel counter is integral with the rigid insert.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a fastening strap.
 8. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a shoe cover.
 9. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the shoe cover is fastened to the shoe by hooks.
 10. The shoe of claim 9, the shoe further comprising a recessed groove and the shoe cover being secured to the shoe by an elastic band binding a bottom end of the shoe cover within the recessed groove.
 11. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising drainage holes in the midsole.
 12. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the rigid insert comprises carbon fibre.
 13. A triathlon shoe comprising: an outer sole; a midsole positioned above the outer sole and secured to the outer sole, the midsole comprising a cushioning material; an upper secured to the midsole, the upper and midsole in combination defining a space for a foot; and a rigid insert positioned above a cleat, the rigid insert being secured to the cleat and to the midsole, and the cleat protruding through the bottom of the shoe and being configured for attachment to a pedal of a bike; wherein the midsole and the outer sole are cut-out or recessed about the cleat to accommodate the pedal of a bike when the pedal is attached to the cleat.
 14. The triathlon shoe of claim 13, wherein the midsole and outer sole are cut-out or recessed about the cleat to permit a wearer of the triathlon shoe to run without the cleat striking a running surface. 